Austria's Guido Burgstaller Suffers Skull Fracture in City Attack

Rapid Vienna's forward, Guido Burgstaller, sustained serious head injuries, including a fractured skull, during an attack in Austria's capital. The 35-year-old striker is expected to be out for several months as authorities investigate the incident.

Austria's professional football scene faced a somber turn of events as Rapid Vienna's striker Guido Burgstaller was reported to have a fractured skull following a violent attack in Vienna's city center. The incident occurred over the weekend, and the club stated that the 35-year-old player is expected to be sidelined for several months due to this "serious head injury."

Burgstaller, who has earned 26 caps for the Austrian national team, was struck by an "unknown man," resulting in him falling and sustaining the skull fracture after what witnesses described as a "brutal blow." After medical examinations at the scene, the athlete was promptly transported to a nearby hospital, where he is set to remain for the coming days while recovering from his injuries.

In a public statement, Rapid Vienna expressed their hopes that law enforcement would swiftly identify and apprehend the perpetrator responsible for this assault. Burgstaller's career in football has seen him play for various clubs, including a brief stint at Cardiff City beginning in 2014, where he was one of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's early signings. Despite only making three appearances for Cardiff, Burgstaller has continued to thrive in the sport, returning to Rapid Vienna after successful engagements with clubs in Germany, including Schalke and St. Pauli.

This incident occurs amidst heightened scrutiny regarding player conduct and safety, especially following earlier controversies involving Burgstaller and his fellow Austrian teammates in 2023, which led to their exclusion from the national squad over homophobic remarks made during a public celebration.